The Federal High Court in Osogbo has scheduled November 17, 2025 for judgment in a fundamental rights suit filed by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) and its Chairman, Barrister Hashim Abioye, against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Presiding over the matter, Justice A.A. Demi-Ajayi announced the adjournment after hearing final arguments from both parties. The suit, numbered FHC/OS/CS/41/2025, challenges the actions of the Police during the lead-up to the February 22, 2025 local government elections in Osun State.
The plaintiffs claim that Police officers, acting under the directive of the IGP, illegally sealed OSSIEC’s offices across the state, threatened to arrest the Commission’s chairman, and detained several ad-hoc staff just hours before the election. They argue that these actions amounted to a violation of their constitutional rights, including the right to liberty, dignity, private life, and property, as guaranteed under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
OSSIEC insists the elections were legally approved by the court following proper notification and confirmation of vacancies across the 30 local government areas in Osun State. They argue that the Police’s interference not only disrupted the election process but also undermined judicial authority.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the Police actions were illegal and politically motivated, and have asked the court to award N2 billion in aggravated damages. They are also seeking a restraining order to prevent the IGP or any of his agents from further interfering in the Commission’s lawful activities.
In response, the Police admitted sealing the OSSIEC offices and arresting some staff but defended their actions as a preventive measure to stop an alleged breach of electoral laws. In a counter-affidavit sworn by Inspector Ogunmokun Abiodun, the Police maintained that the move was based on credible intelligence suggesting potential illegal activity.
The Police denied any political bias or abuse of power, asserting that they acted within their constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order. They dismissed the suit as exaggerated and lacking merit, and asked the court to strike it out.
The court will deliver its ruling on November 17, determining whether the plaintiffs’ rights were indeed violated and if the Police acted unlawfully.
